Microscopy centres

Section 1 of 3

What is sputum smear microscopy?

A sample of sputum, the phlegm coughed up from deep in the chest, is stained and examined under a microscope for TB germs.

It is a quick, low-cost test. It is used to diagnose TB and, during treatment, to check that the medicines are working.

Start of topic

Section 2 of 3

Finding a microscopy centre

Microscopy centres are linked to the district chest clinic in each district. Your nearest district chest clinic, or any government hospital, can tell you where to hand in a sputum sample.

Samples that need further testing are sent on to GeneXpert sites or to the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory.

Section 3 of 3

How to give a good sputum sample

A good sample gives a reliable result.

Collect the sample early in the morning, before eating or drinking
Rinse your mouth with plain water first
Breathe in deeply and cough hard from deep in your chest
Spit the sputum, not saliva, into the container and close the lid tightly
Hand the container in at the centre as soon as possible

End of topic

Microscopy centres

What is sputum smear microscopy?

Finding a microscopy centre

How to give a good sputum sample

Cough for more than two weeks?

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